CMS seeks stakeholder suggestions on COVID-19 waivers in new request for data

On September 6, 2022, the Facilities for Medicare & Medicaid Providers (CMS) launched a Request for Data (RFI) looking for public enter to evaluate the affect of the waivers and flexibilities offered in response to the COVID-19 Public Well being Emergency. 

The RFI is targeted on the disparities in well being and well being care all through the US, in an effort to enhance well being outcomes, significantly as COVID-19 waivers have, or will, expire. The RFI addresses a number of matters, together with the challenges of accessing well being care, advancing well being fairness, and supplier wellbeing.  Of most curiosity to supplier stakeholders, nonetheless, could also be CMS’s request for suggestions associated to the affect of its COVID-19 waivers, equivalent to eligibility and enrollment flexibilities.  For instance, suppliers could want to touch upon which of the waivers ought to develop into everlasting, equivalent to telehealth waivers, or the affect of PHE waivers and preparation for future well being emergencies. 

CMS encourages feedback from any stakeholder (e.g., suppliers, clinicians, sufferers and shopper advocates). The RFI is open by November 4, 2022, and could also be accessed right here. In case you are an occasion and want to submit a remark to CMS for consideration, Thompson Coburn’s Well being Care workforce is skilled and in a position to help. 

Jennifer Pike and Catherine Feorene are members of Thompson Coburn’s Well being Regulation Follow Group.